Apparatus for deterring modification of sports equipment

p-0002This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,137, filed Dec. 3, 2007, for Apparatus for Deterring Modification of Sports Equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-0003(a) Field of the Invention

p-0004The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports, such as, for example, softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats.

p-0005(b) Background of the Invention

p-0006In the field of ball bat technology, a known problem is “rolling”. An issue presently exists in softball where players will purchase a softball bat and then modify that bat such that its performance ability is altered and may exceed the standards of the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). Persons will perform a process known as “rolling” where they will take a fiber bat and “squeeze” the barrel between large rolling tubes separated by a distance smaller than the diameter of the bat being rolled. The bat is rolled back and forth between these tubes fracturing fibers within the bat so that the bat becomes softer and more elastic. A bat that is so rolled is referred to as “hot” because it has the capacity to send the ball from the bat at a faster pace than a bat not so rolled. Certain regulations are in place under the ASA that make such rolled bats improper for use in any ASA regulated competition. Tests are conducted under the authority of the ASA to determine the rate of speed at which a ball will exit a bat when struck by a batter. Those bats with exit speeds in excess of 98 miles per hour (mph) when using the ASTM F2219 standard test method are illegal under the current rules of the ASA.

p-0007The Inventor is not aware of any prior art addressing the problem of deterring any portion of a ball bat from being rolled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0008The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art and provides, among other things, a bat which deters the modification of the bat so that the user is capable of hitting the ball further or at a pace faster than permitted within the official rules of the game.

p-0009A need exists for deterring the modification of ball bats, namely to deter rolling. The present invention discloses a bat that includes one or more supports inside of the bat oriented in such a way as to reinforce the integrity of the bat from the interior. The present invention contemplates using a retaining member to position at least one support within the bat transverse to the bat's axis to provide integrity to the bat's composition to deter rolling. Multiple retaining members and supports are preferably employed.

p-0010The primary objective of the present invention is to minimize the ability to alter the elasticity of the bat through the process of fracturing fibers within the bat thereby creating a hot bat. The bat is characterized in that it comprises an outer shell, preferably of fiberglass, graphite, or composite materials. The ball bat is reinforced from the center using supports transverse to bat's axis. The supports of the present invention are composed of a resilient material with little or no elasticity thereby providing the maximum structural integrity to the bat. The supports are held into place using a retaining member, such as a urethane foam member, that slides into the interior of the bat. When a support is in a desired location in the bat, the retaining member, support, or both are adhered to the interior of the bat using an adhesive such as glue, urethane, or silicone.

p-0011The present invention will provide maximum structural integrity to the interior of the bat while continuing to provide a bat with sufficient elasticity for batters to adequately play the sport within the rules of the game.

p-0012More particularly, the present invention is a ball bat having a barrel with a cavity inside, a support and a retaining member. The support and retaining member are located inside the cavity, and the retaining member positions the support within the cavity.

p-0013Even more particularly, the retaining member positions the support transverse to the long axis of the bat. The retaining member may have a notch in which the support is retained.

p-0014Even more particularly, the support is composed of a lightweight resilient material, such as graphite or magnesium. The retaining member may be cylindrical or may be a non-circular geometric shape with at least three contact points and is often composed of urethane foam.

p-0015The ball bat may include one retaining member positioning one support member. The ball bat may also include two or more retaining members, each positioning one or more support members. Alternatively, the ball bat may include a single retaining member that positions two or more supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0016A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a </i>shows a cross section of a bat, sliced lengthwise, having 2 support and retaining member components;

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b </i>shows a cross section of a bat, sliced lengthwise, having 3 support and retaining member components;

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>c </i>shows a cross section of a bat, sliced lengthwise, having 2 support components and 1 retaining member component;

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a second cross section of a bat, sliced along the width;

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a portion of a retaining member with a support inserted into a notch;

p-0022<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows a cross section of a retaining member with a support along the lines <b>4</b>-<b>4</b> shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>;

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a transverse view of a retaining member with a support;

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a cross section of a barrel, sliced lengthwise, having a support that is not in its final location;

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a cross section of a barrel, sliced along the width, having a support that is not in its final location;

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a cross section of a barrel, sliced lengthwise, having a support that is in its final location; and

p-0027<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a cross section of a barrel, sliced lengthwise, having a support that is in its final location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

p-0028Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>, the bat <b>10</b> embodied in the present invention is shown comprising a barrel <b>30</b>, a sweet spot <b>31</b>, a transition area <b>32</b>, a handle <b>33</b>, and an end knob <b>34</b>. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is bat <b>10</b> having a barrel <b>30</b> of constant outer diameter <b>42</b> of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) and an inner diameter <b>43</b> of 1.85 inches (4.70 cm), and having a barrel wall thickness <b>45</b> of 0.2 inches (0.51 cm). The composition of the bat <b>10</b> is preferably continuous throughout, including the barrel <b>30</b>, the sweet spot <b>31</b>, the transition area <b>32</b>, the handle <b>33</b> and the end knob <b>34</b>. Alternative bat <b>10</b> constructions are known where the end knob <b>34</b> is a separate component attached to the handle <b>33</b>. Also, the barrel <b>30</b> may have a separate end cap. Even further, the bat <b>10</b> may be composed of a composite material or a metal/composite combination, as is known in the art.

p-0029The bat <b>10</b> has a sweet spot <b>31</b> that is an area at the center of percussion where the contact between bat <b>10</b> and ball results in the “best hit.” More particularly, the sweet spot <b>31</b> is where the maximum energy is transferred to the ball when struck, the ball leaves the bat <b>10</b> with the greatest speed, and the player's hands feel the least vibration from the impact. The center of the sweet spot <b>31</b> is typically five to seven inches (12.7 to 17.8 cm) down from the top of the barrel <b>30</b> and extending two inches (5.08 cm) to either side.

p-0030The novel aspect of the present invention occurs within the cavity <b>35</b> bounded by the inner diameter of the barrel. A retaining member <b>22</b> is inserted into the cavity <b>35</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member <b>22</b> is aligned with the barrel <b>30</b> and incorporates one notch <b>21</b> allowing one support <b>20</b> to be inserted into said notch <b>21</b>, positioning the support transverse to bat's <b>10</b> axis <b>48</b>. The retaining member <b>22</b> is cylindrical in shape so that it may be inserted into the barrel <b>30</b>. The retaining member <b>22</b> has an outer diameter <b>43</b> preferably equal to the inner diameter <b>43</b> of the barrel <b>30</b> so as to permit the retaining member <b>22</b> to fit snugly against the inner wall of the barrel <b>30</b> to prevent slippage. In an embodiment with the bat <b>10</b> having an inner diameter <b>43</b> of 1.85 inches (4.70 cm), the retaining member <b>22</b> will have an outer diameter <b>43</b> of 1.85 inches (4.70 cm), an inner diameter <b>44</b> of 1.6 inches (4.06 cm), and a length <b>46</b> of 1 inch (2.54 cm). Preferably one support <b>20</b> is positioned about two inches (5.08 cm) on each side of the center of the sweet spot <b>31</b>. Therefore, the supports <b>20</b> are separated by a distance of about four inches (10.16 cm), as depicted in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a. </i>

p-0031As is shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>b</i>, another embodiment of the present invention the bat <b>110</b> preferably includes three supports <b>20</b> with one positioned at the center of the sweet spot <b>31</b> and one approximately two inches (5.08 cm) on either side of the center of the sweet spot <b>31</b>. The support <b>20</b> located at the sweet spot <b>31</b> being constructed such that the bat <b>110</b> cannot be rolled.

p-0032In an alternative embodiment, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>c </i>shows bat <b>210</b> with the retaining member <b>122</b> having a plurality of notches <b>21</b> for which multiple supports <b>20</b> may be inserted to provide structural integrity to the interior of the bat <b>210</b>. In this alternative embodiment, the retaining member <b>122</b> would be approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length <b>146</b>.

p-0033The supports <b>20</b> of the present invention should be of a lightweight resilient composition to prevent a “weighting” effect on the bat <b>10</b>. Some weighted bats are improper under ASA guidelines. The supports <b>20</b> may, for example, be composed of any material suitable to prevent rolling the bat <b>10</b>, such as graphite or magnesium. In a preferred embodiment, the supports are disk-shaped.

p-0034Some embodiments of the present invention utilize the durability and structural integrity of graphite to reinforce the interior cylinder of the barrel. Graphite is a resilient material capable of resisting compression and fracturing in the rolling process. The orientation of the grain within the graphite should be structured so as to provide maximum integrity for all 360 degrees of the bat <b>10</b> such that the bat <b>10</b> cannot be rolled in any direction. The supports <b>20</b> of the present invention will preferably be constructed of 16 to 24 plies of graphite, and approximately one eighth of an inch (3.18 mm) in total thickness <b>47</b>. For the bat <b>10</b> with an inner diameter <b>43</b> of 1.85 inches (4.70 cm), these supports <b>20</b> will be disks composed of solid graphite having an outer diameter <b>40</b> of 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) and, as is explained hereafter, preferably include a center hole <b>23</b> having an inner diameter <b>41</b> of 0.625 inches (1.59 cm). However, supports <b>20</b> without a hole <b>23</b> or in shapes other than disks could be used.

p-0035The supports <b>20</b> of the present invention will preferably include a hole <b>23</b> in the center so that a liquid may be poured through the center of the supports in the bat <b>10</b> manufacturing process. Thus, in embodiments using disk-shaped supports <b>20</b>, the supports <b>20</b> of the present invention will resemble washers.

p-0036The supports <b>20</b> should be designed in such a way that they will not cause dead zones within the bat <b>10</b>. Dead zones are areas in the bat with extremely low levels of elasticity. The lower the elasticity, the less propulsion effect the bat will have on the ball. In the instance of ball bats, a dead zone is an area where the energy from the ball-to-bat contact is transferred to the bat rather than to the ball. The present invention will allow a manufacturer to determine the elasticity of the bat, such that it will be acceptable under ASA guidelines.

p-0037The supports <b>20</b> are designed to have an outer diameter <b>40</b> slightly smaller than the inner diameter <b>43</b> of the bat <b>10</b>. In one embodiment, the outer diameter <b>40</b> is 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) and the inner diameter <b>43</b> is 1.85 inches (4.70 cm). Thus, in this embodiment, a gap <b>56</b> of 0.05 inches (1.27 mm) will be present between the supports <b>20</b> and the bat <b>10</b>. This gap <b>56</b> is necessary to allow the bat <b>10</b> to “hoop bend” without the hoop bend being inhibited by the support <b>20</b>. A hoop bend is a slight temporary deformation of the bat <b>10</b> when it impacts a ball.

p-0038The retaining member <b>22</b> of the present invention must be reinforced sufficiently to prevent the force of repeated strikes of the bat <b>10</b> from knocking the supports <b>20</b> loose within the barrel <b>30</b> of the bat <b>10</b>. The notches <b>21</b> made within the retaining member <b>22</b> must be deep enough to prevent the supports <b>20</b> from coming loose when the bat <b>10</b> is used. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member <b>22</b> is composed of urethane foam of sufficient stiffness to maintain the supports <b>20</b> in a position transverse to the axis <b>48</b> of the bat <b>10</b>.

p-0039In a first embodiment, the retaining member <b>22</b> of the present invention is inserted into the barrel <b>30</b> and when the supports <b>20</b> is at the final location, the retaining member <b>22</b> is adhered to the interior of the barrel <b>30</b> with an adhesive <b>24</b>. In this first embodiment, the retaining member <b>22</b> is cylindrical. Any means for adhesion may be used, but preferably the means will be urethane or silicone.

p-0040In a second embodiment, retaining member <b>222</b> is a non-circular geometric shape having at least three contact points <b>52</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. In this second embodiment, the retaining member is sized so that the contact points <b>52</b> contact the interior of the barrel <b>30</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. The retaining member <b>222</b> has a hole <b>50</b>. In this second embodiment, the means of adhesion <b>24</b> is positioned at the final location of the supports <b>20</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. In this second embodiment, the means of adhesion <b>24</b> is positioned such that the means of adhesion <b>24</b> will not contact the retaining member <b>222</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. The retaining member <b>222</b> of the present invention is inserted into the barrel <b>30</b> until the supports <b>20</b> contacts the means of adhesion <b>24</b> at the final location of the supports <b>20</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. Additional means of adhesion <b>54</b> is then added to adhere the entire perimeter of the support <b>20</b> to the interior of the barrel <b>30</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. Any means for adhesion may be used, but preferably the means will be urethane or silicone.

p-0041The retaining member <b>22</b> of the present invention must not be resistant to the adhesive <b>24</b>. The retaining member <b>22</b> of the present invention will preferably be of a lightweight composition to prevent a “weighting” effect. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member <b>22</b> will be of a lightweight composition capable of being adhered to the interior of the bat <b>10</b>, such as urethane foam.

p-0042The bat <b>10</b> of the present invention may be included in one-wall or multiple-wall bat technology.

p-0043The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.